Birdiegirl

[Genevieve M.]

I have a vet tech question. Our local community college offers a 2 year vet tech associate degree that my daughter is interested in. She mainly wants to be better able to take care of her own animals, and work part time.

Do you think there is a big advantage to getting a 4 year bachelor degree instead of the 2 year one?

Thanks for your help.

[birdiegirl]

Genevieve,

If she is mainly interested in the knowledge for herself and a parttime job, than an Associate degree will be sufficient. I would only recommend going back for the B.S. if you wanted a management or administration position. (or if you have money to burn and just love to be in school!)

Even with knowledge and experience, location plays a large factor in salary. I cannot make anywhere near what I was earning in Pennsylvania (or Atlanta, Georgia, for that matter), because I live out in the Piney Woods of Texas- and they just do not pay their techs what they would earn in the big cities.

I would also be sure that the vet tech program offered by the community college has a full-accreditation by the AVMA, as that is very important.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

Donna

[Genevieve M.]

Thanks so much for your help.

I remember when I was in school, I had a choice between a 4 year Early Childhood Education degree, and a 2 year Child Development degree. I was steered away from the 2 year degree by everyone I talked to, so I got the other one. I had barely paid off my student loans when my oldest was born and I quit working to stay home with her.

I have been thankful to have my degree a couple of times when applying for part time jobs, but I think an associates degree would have served me just as well in those situations.